A man hurried through the corridors of the Georgian mansion dressed in formal clothing, a long navy overcoat that barely allowed sight of the white shirt and brown dress pants he wore beneath it.
He rushed past several halls of the repeating pattern; the sight of walls of white, which was occasionally disturbed by large windows and unnecessarily lavish loutrophoros vases.
Upon reaching the large double doors at the end of the hall, he meekly adjusted the silver badge firmly attached to his coat and combed his anchor beard before entering.
A large meeting hall stretched before him, and his nose was immediately overwhelmed by the sterile smell that plagued the homes of the overbearing rich folk. The chandeliers lined the ceiling of the hall, and the French windows allowed light to shine upon the faces of the numerous men and women gathered here. Well, numerous would be an overstatement as they numbered no more than 20.
Though this was expected, it was still surprising that the gathered individuals that had been requested for this meeting were not only few, but all of them were married, including himself.
He sighed before putting on his diplomatic smile that narrowed his eyes into slits, so that he could endure the atrocities known as diplomatic small talk.
He made his way to the main table and was greeted by a short bald man with a white bushy beard wearing a formal suit, his smile had remained the same over the years, the genuine kind that was hard to come by in his line of work, but the same could not be said for the diminishing number of hairs on his head.
"Hmm? Oh, if it isn't Johann! Looks like someone finally arrived on time aye?" An amiable and shrill voice addressed him,
"Even I wouldn't have the guts to be late to such a meeting, Mr Leofric."
"Hmm! You and your formal talks, loosen up a little, otherwise Trivola might just rip ya to shreds this time. He's been squeamish a bit too much around Aaergalians, and not in a good way."
"Leofric! Don't make up such horseshit! Thomas has...always been that way. I'm not pleased with it but, we can't do anything. Though, I really didn't like him calling you as a long nosed retard, so, try to be wary of him at the least, alright?" Advised the pleasant yet confident voice of a woman.
"Hmm? Oh Margaret, ya and ya positivity! It reeks much of that in here'."
Margaret's deadpan stare into Leofric's soul got him to shut up.
Her curly hair had been tied into a bun and along with her septum piercing, one could easily find her face intriguing to look at.
Johann shifted to meet Leofric's wrinkled eyes, they held a quiet gentleness, but he could sense the subtle rage building up in them.
His gaze naturally went down upon hearing what Leofrichad to say,
"Is it really because of the war? It doesn't seem that way."
"I don't know Johann, I don't know, all we can do is hope that it ain't getting to his head."
The woman gently pushed his shoulder and also asked him to loosen up, he shrugged as he gave her a pained smile and settled back into his seat.
A tall man takes his entry through the double doors, at his arrival the gathered fastened into their seats, commencing the start of the meeting.
"Now keep ya heads up, I like you, wouldn't want to see ya disappear in a few day, ha!" The man gave a soft laugh before straightening into his seat.
As the tall man—Thomas Trivola— Took his seat at the centre of the round table, a deafening silence crept up the hall, he took off his top hat and his black gloves and coughed loudly.
He adjusted the gun on his holster before properly addressing everyone.
"Good Evening, and thank you all for being present here. You know me as Thomas Trivola, though, I'm sure many of you recall me better as the cranky man who halved your pay, but, by all means address me as you wish." His authoritative tone quickly overwhelmed the atmosphere of the room. His crisp and sly voice was a testament to his confident words.
Johann gazed to notice some of the people sitting across him had flinched upon hearing Trivola's dismissive remarks of their backhanded talks, he was sure that they were the one who had started it.
"I am sure many of you have noticed your few numbers and a, certain trait all of you share. Although, I am displeased to have a few individuals seated among you as well, they may or may not be, 'truthful'."
Thomas's side eye lingered on Johann for a bit too long before turning back to the gathering.
But this time, it was different, it did not hold the same sentiment of an officer addressing his junior like it once had, not only as a superior but as a rival.
Now, it was replaced by malice and only malice.
"Distancing ourselves from the, 'inconveniences', I have called for the most capable and long serving, married personnel of the marshal department for a various number of reasons."
Thomas grinned and raised his index finger,
"To address the convoys from the west and the east."
Followed by his middle finger,
"The possibilities of spies infiltrating our forces"
and finally his ring finger,
"And the upcoming nuclear war."
The jaw dropping silence followed by Thomas's words spoke for itself,
"Now now, do not be so baffled. Yes, activities from the east definitely hint at their testing of nuclear weapons and, 'peculiar readings' from our radars, but rest assured all of you remain safe."
His eyes narrowed and his smile vanished as he looked across the round table, collectively addressing all the people present. Until they settled on Johann.
"Well, only if all of you oblige by never speaking of this outside this circle, even your closest ones must be excluded and.."
He rose up from his seat and gestured to a servant behind him, who brought out a sealed brown bag. Tearing its head, he pulled out the documents for the non disclosure agreements as he passed them on to each individual.
"Remember that we are aware of all of your information, if you were to.." He tilted his head to the side as his eyes looked up at the golden chandeliers and a euphoric smile appeared on his face, "break, this agreement, then the people subject to the punishment won't just stop at you."
"Hey, at least try to be more discreet Trivola, threatening is a new low, even for ya and the high parliament." The shrill voice of the short man came as a complete opposite to Thomas's carefully articulated words.
Thomas's, now displeased smile, turned to face Leofric, addressing his concern, all the while his eyes darted to his right shoulder.
"Surely Leo, you have the discernment to know antagonizing the parliament this close to your retirement is just stupidity, that may rival those retarded Long noses in the east and some sitting here, as well."
Leofric's calm composure remained adamant as he shook his head,
"Aye? Don't misunderstand Trivola, I know surely how all of ya are going about this, but look around! These younglings are scared they going to die or something! Clarity Trivola, clarity!"
Trivola's joyous eyes widened scanning the entire room, the poker faces of the present had long been gone as they barely maintained themselves.
"Oh! I apologize for my.., 'inconsiderate' behavior. Rest assured, for in the following month, safety would be guaranteed for your family, that is if you abide by the formerly stated 'requests'. As for the-"
"Mr Thomas Trivola, the suddenness of all of this comes as hard to digest, if I may ask, what evidence do we really have, that we are ready to launch missiles that would end millions of people?" Margaret spoke up, before allowing Thomas to finish.
A vein seemingly bulged on Thomas's head as he slowly turned to face the woman who had cut him off.
"Did I ask to be interrupted?"
The woman stood confidently as a response to Thomas's malice ridden question,
"Very well, if you must know then, we have substantial evidence. So much as so that us bombing them the next day wouldn't be surprising. I'd even vouch for it to happen today, but it seems not all of them ministers are quite, 'confident' in our abilities.
Johann's face was ripped of color as the words fell upon his ears.
He had long parted with his homeland about more than 20 years back, but he knew that Thomas's statement were not just a mere farce.
If he currently had the power to directly execute his won order, he would do so without a second thought.
Without thinking further, he shot up, slamming his hands on the table, challenging Thomas's boastful words.
"This is outrageous Mr Trivola! If we are not sure completely then, why? Why are you so keen on this? The war is at a stalemate but I'm sure that means we're sufficiently holding them back! What is the reason behind, any of this!?"
Thomas's face was deprived of its smile as Johann's words shook the room in its own way, both Margaret and Leofric's eyes shot up to Johann's unshaking figure.
"Oh! Forgive me! Because of course it is you who speaks up, right, Mr Johann Victor Everett?"
"Mr Trivola you are not! Listening! And you are not thinking of all the terrible things that would happen because of this to the many innocents!"
"Of course I care, Mr Everett, specifically for our country, for god knows which moles exist within us, and you, to be blunt, are not preferably, 'tolerable' by me."
Johann's anger continued to boil, pointing out even more of Thomas's carelessness, until he stopped midway in his sentences, noticing that the holster near Thomas's waist was now empty.
"Mr Everett, what I have here, is a beauty. A Mauser C96, such an elegantly crafted weapon that, truth be told, I thought would never be used. I pocketed it for the longest time, hoping the proper opportunity would present itself, and it seems I was correct."
Thomas's face twisted into a grin as he pointed the gun to Johann's waist underneath the table,
"You see Mr Everett, this beauty is pointed, directly at your leg and testicles, so, even if you survive, you would be crippled, for life! Is that, really what you desire? Running here from all your worries just to die like a dog? I hope not, and I hope you agree and spill out what you must. The clock is ticking Mr Everett and so is the remaining time in your life."
Johann's blood ran cloud and so did of everyone present, even the servants behind them which were austere all this time flinched with uncertainty.
Thomas quickly turned his head and shot the gun at the wall, serving as a warning for the servants to also keep their mouths shut,
"Unfortunately, this is not a toy. Speak now Mr Everett, I have no wish to make widow out of such a wonderful woman such as Mrs Anastasia, not to be, 'insolent' in what I say but, maybe no other man would ne willing to marry such a spoil of the west, no matter her appearance. The risk is substantial Mr Everett."
Johann lifted his head to meet Thomas's the pure glee in his eyes made lava flow through his veins once again, but if he was going to challenge him right here it would certainly mean that he wouldn't win.
Fortunately for him, his years serving in the state, wouldn't be in vain.
"TRIVOLA!" Shouted Johann, unable to hold himself back.
"Please calm down Thomas Trivola!" Margaret's voice had lost its composure and now yelled at him.
"You're crossing a damn line ya cuck!" Warned Leofric's sharp words, as his hand reached for the gun in his own pocket.
"He's been serving us for over 20 years Thomas! Put the gun down!" A man dressed in a military uniform seated besides Thomas grabbed at his sleeve, pulling it down.
As the room erupted into a frenzy opposing Thomas's brazen decision. Many people pointed at him and yelled at him to not continue, some of them were reasoning with him due to Johann's long serving years and loyalty, while others resorted to simply yelling.
Thomas had the power to kill Johann right there and then, all he had to do was pull the trigger and a major suspect would be off the list but,
"HAHA! Such amazing bravado!" his grip on the gun loosened.
He erupted into a laughter, which ended with the room falling into silence and his cackling echoing like that of a hyena deep in the woods.
"Truly! Truly amazing Mr Everett! It seems you have amassed quite the, 'support'. Very well then, I shall abstain."
"Aye! Finally! Told ya he's supposed to be off the hook! Killing helpful members! This ain't the Old Republic Assembly, that ya'd go out and kill a few!"
"Haha! Truly! You are really correct Leo. I really acted on my intrusive theories it may seem! Really!"
But, instead of putting the gun down, he simply shifted it to the one seated next to Johann.
The room's shouting once again continued, but Thomas resorted to ignoring them for the time being.
"Well then, Leo. Mind, fulfilling a request for me?"
"Aye? What's all this about? This ain't scaring me ya know?"
"Of course, I'm well aware Leo, would you mind, 'showing' all of us something?"
The crowd shouted at Thomas to cease what he was planning on doing at the instant. He simply decided to momentarily point the gun away from Leofric and towards the rest of them.
"I do not remember giving any of you the permission to speak up. Maintain yourself." He demanded.
Consequently, the small crowd was instantly silenced by the threat, one by one taking their seats.
"Please do the honors of showing us your arm, the part next to your shoulder! To be exact."
Leofric dumbfoundedly stared at Thomas after his abrupt and seemingly harmless request,
"Hmm? What? What will ya do with that?"
"Please do oblige with us Leo, all of us are eagerly waiting. Or do you wish the suffer the fate Mr Everett barely avoided?"
Thomas's question had left the table at a loss for words, as murmurings began to arise, he quickly turned his head to the gathering and shouted,
"Silence!"
before turning back to Leofric, "Do proceed Leo, please."
"Mr Trivola, what is all this? Mr Leofric is innocent! He has been in this firm longer than any of us!"
Leofric's words cracked, "Listen, all of this, is nonsense. Why do ya think I'd do somethin-"
Thomas immediately banged the table with his left hand, shattering the glass in his palm to shreds, blood slowly trickled from his hand, the half eaten French toast now had its frosting dabbled in red.
"Sit down Everett, I would have no problem fulfilling the prior conundrum I parted with and, you mistake me Leo, I am not asking."
As Leofric's eyes lost its calmness, his fingers shook and he grabbed onto the table cloth. He bit down on his tongue as he brought his right arm to the front and slowly curled up the sleeve of the shirt, just shy of the tricep.
The men and women all present gazed intently at his hand waiting for it to reach the top but, there was nothing.
All they met with was the tanned skin of an old man and a giant mole to the side.
"I never told you to stop did I?" Commanded Thomas.
"Aye! You've seen it! There's nothing here-"
Thomas jerked the gun forward, now only about 70 centimeters away from Leofric's head.
Shuddering, he gave in and curled up the sleeve.
A collective gasp escaped from all the men present and even Johann and Margaret were at a loss for words as all of them stared at Leofric's arm completely aghast.
"Ahh..." Thomas let out a sigh, but it was more of contentment than one of tiredness,
"Tch. Tch. Tch. Such a shame Leo, I had expected much more from you, but how can I ever mistake you faggots for capable men?"
He lowered his gun pointing to the engraved titled crescent moon on Leofric's upper arm, its redness had faded into a deep brown as if it had been marked carved by hand with a sharp blade.
"Do what ya want. Ya cunts don't have the power to overturn the tables now. Interrogate me as much as ya like, I ain't revealing an inklin'"
"Oh! You mistake something here. You see, this is private property, and we already have all the information we need. So,"
Hearing Thomas's words, Leofric's eyes widened in horror as he instantaneously reached for his pocket but before he could even pull out his gun, he let out a loud yell and fell back from his chair, grabbing his right shoulder.
"Bang." Cried Thomas as if it were prayer.
He kept on shooting the man, the loud gunshots echoed throughout the entire hall. All the ones present took to flee from their seats, finding the one exit locked from the back.
Margaret, who was seated directly next to Johann had also fled for the door, he was the last person to back off.
He slowly moved behind, his back to the wall and eyes never leaving the bloodshed occurring in front of him.
"Bang. Bang. Bang! Bang!" He shouted without stopping, an ecstatic smile arose on his face the more he fired.
Leofric cried in horror as his knee shattered and his short, big frame crashed to the ground as he let out a bloodcurdling scream.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! BANG! BAN- Oop! It seems I am out of bullets! How unfortunate!" He smiled with his teeth out like a child would at an amusement park after hitting a target.
The horrendous sight of the mangled Leofric stood still, his blood flowed out from all over his body.
One of his eyes had been torn from the socket due to the bullet that surged through his head.
"Well, as they say to the deserving dead, El de Moir Leofric, El de moir, aren't I right Mr Everett?"
He gleefully smiled at Johann, before his eyes widened and he bowed very slightly, "I apologize for being such a, 'nuisance' earlier to you. What can I say? My real feelings towards your kind slip through from time to time."
His crisp voice shouted, looking to all the men and women that had backed off onto the walls, none of them had been carrying any weapons of their own, so they had resorted to banging on the mansion doors hoping they would open.
"I suppose that ends the meeting for today! Remember, he shot himself repeatedly upon being found out, speak else and the consequences will follow suite. Oh and! Make sure to come to the after party, it's mandatory. I'll be seeing you personally if you decide to not to, especially you Johann. Well then, dismissed."
Johann stood frozen staring at the mutilated corpse he had trusted so eagerly before.
He wandered whether all this time, all the years he had spent in his company were really just manufactured sweet talk.
No. It couldn't have been. It shouldn't be.
His throat ran dry and his face felt heavy, bile crawled up his throat as he forced a hand to shut his mouth, swallowing it back in.
He glanced at Thomas with red eyes, the man who had just committed the murder, stood triumphantly as he wiped the barrel of the gun gently with a white cloth, before putting it back in his holster, taking out a cigar and lighting it.
"What Mr Everett? Do you want a smoke as well? I'm sure your wife won't be happy about that, speaking of it, do give me the opportunity to meet her again, she was a very fine lady."
He smiled at Johann as if nothing had happened.